The Osage Nation Boys and Girls Club are helping families and individuals in need by hosting an annual charity clothes drive.

“The reason we started doing the clothes drive is because we noticed the children in the club and their families needed clothes,” said Gina Blankinship, assistance area coordinator.

Blankinship said she understands it can be difficult for parents with three or four children who must watch their spending habits. During the clothes drive the Boys and Girls Club accepts all sizes of clothes because the parents might need some clothes too.

“We make sure we send families to places where the clothes are free,” Blankinship said.

This is the third year the club has held a clothes drive. It is held in spring since that is usually when people are going through their clothes, said Blankinship.

This year’s clothes drive was held on April 18-20 in Hominy, Fairfax and Pawhuska.

The clothes that are collect will be taken to Escape Ministries in Cleveand and Mary Martha Outreach in Bartlesville. Collected clothes may also be sent to various churches, said Faith Allison, Chief Professional Officer of the ON Boys and Girls Club.

Alice Cotton, Pawhuska Boys and Girls Club Coordinator, said the club takes the clothes to those locations that way if people are embarrassed or don’t want others in their community to see they need clothes they can simply drive to Bartlesville or Cleveland and get the help they need.

And the clothes that are torn or missing buttons, Escape Ministries sends to children in Africa.

“It is impressive to see that Escape Ministries doesn’t let anything go to waste,” Cotton said.

Cotton said the clothes drive has been very successful the last two years.

This year Hominy collected seven trash bags and one box of clothes. Fairfax is expecting more clothes but as of today they had collected four trash bags full of clothes and shoes. And Pawhuska collected 23 trash bags full of clothes, shoes, coats and toys.

“We get good feedback from the families we help and I think this is something that has been very positive for the community,” Blankinship said.